Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Crab spider

CRAB SPIDER or MATOUTOU, a spider that belongs to the typical genus of the family Mygalidæ, which may be at once known by the shape of its mandibles and the terrific claws which proceed from them. In the greater number of spiders the claws are set horizontally, but in the Mygalidæ they are bent downward, and strike the prey much as a lion clutches at his victim with his curved talons. The great crab spider preys on young birds and other small vertebrates.